A $2M USDA grant will fund research on grazing sheep in organic orchards to boost soil health, cut costs, and control pests. The UC Davis-led team will also create safety guidelines to address contamination concerns.
Students in the SCOPE program showcased new organic crop varieties—including tomatoes, blue wheat, zinnias, and Asian celtuce—bred for taste, resilience, and diversity during the 2023 UC Davis Student Farm Field Day.
UC Davis’ SCOPE program received a $2M USDA grant to expand student-led organic plant breeding. New crops, new partners, and collaboration with UC Santa Cruz aim to share the model and support organic agriculture across climates.
The SCOPE project at UC Davis, led by students, is developing new crop varieties for organic farmers, including improved peppers, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and flowers. Their work focuses on better taste, disease resistance, and yield.
Travis Parker, UC Davis postdoctoral researcher, received a $20,000 grant to develop drought-resistant, high-quality organic legumes. His work aims to improve protein-rich crops for arid regions, enhancing both culinary appeal and food security.
